NEW DELHI: In a bid to corner the BJP-led Centre over the proposed reforms in the power sector ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday wrote a letter to non-BJP chief ministers of other states seeking their comments on the amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003.
Kejriwal sent letter to his counterparts in other states, namely Mamata Banerjee, N Chandrababu Naidu, Pinarayi Vijayan, HD Kumaraswamy, V Narayansamy, Edapaddi K Palaniswami, Lal Thanhawla, Amarinder Singh, K Chandrashekhar Rao, Naveen Patnaik and Pawan Chamling.
In the letter, the Delhi CM wrote, "The proposed amendments to the Electricity Act 2003 are a matter of serious concern as they concentrate all powers in the electricity sector in the hands of Central Government to the exclusion of State Governments and it will lead to an immediate steep hike in electricity tariffs."
"It appears that the motive of the Central Government is to impose and hasten privatisation of electricity all over the country and to favour a few companies. By concentrating all powers with itself, the Centre will be able to do that," the letter said.
Urging the leaders to ensure that the Bill does not get passed in Parliament, Kejriwal added, "We all need to get together to ensure that the Central Government does not succeed in getting this amendment Bill passed in Parliament.
"We may also give it wide publicity and make people aware of how these amendments will adversely affect a common man."
Expressing his desire to personally meet the leaders regarding the matter, the Chief Minister said, "Since this is an extremely critical matter which will have nationwide consequences, I would like to personally come to discuss it in detail with you. I would appreciate if you could kindly indicate your earliest convenience."
Kejriwal had earlier said the proposed amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, were a frontal attack on the federal structure, as implementing them would render the states toothless in the power sector – a Concurrent List subject that can legislated on by both the states and the Centre.